Method of assembling an electronic device into a tire

ABSTRACT

A method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substrate surface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antenna positioning means such as a magnet positioned adjacent the electronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing the electronic device to the substrate surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a method for incorporating anelectronic device into a supportive substrate and, more specifically, toa method for affixing an RFID tag having a dipole helically woundantenna into a tire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

RFID tags are electronic devices increasingly used in various commercialapplications as a means for identifying articles of manufacture.Typically, a tag includes an electronic transmitter for transmitting anidentification signal by means of an antenna. The tag may be embeddedwithin or otherwise attached to a product or article of manufacture andfunctions to communicate a unique identification signal to a remotereceiver or reader. Tires are one product category in which such devicesare employed. An RFID tag within a tire can identify the tiremanufacturer, date of manufacturer, etc. as well as store and transmitdata relating to the vehicle upon which the tire was originally mounted.

At ultra high frequency (UHF), a radio frequency identification (RFID)tag may utilize a dipole helically wound steel wire antenna. Such aconfiguration presents myriad manufacturing and handling challenges inthe incorporation of the RFID tag into a product such as a tire. Thedipole antennas tend to nest and tangle if the tags are not keptsegregated. The packaging used to transport tags may not be sufficientto contain the wildness of the antenna coil during transportation. Inaddition, when such a tag is removed from the package, the antenna maybow with a certain cast, thereby affecting antenna performancecharacteristics.

In order to ensure proper tag performance, the dipole antenna must bekept as straight as possible when embedding it in or on the product towhich it is to be affixed. For example, in a tire application, theantenna must be maintained in a straight condition when embedded withina rubber compound that will eventually be vulcanized. The straightnessof the antenna will directly influence the tag's performance since anyvariation will change the tuned length. The relatively small size of thetag exacerbates the challenges in achieving an acceptable handling andtransport apparatus, particularly if such tags are picked from a bin ortray and incorporated into a remotely positioned product or componentduring manufacture.

Within the industry currently, manual methods are employed to handletags. Antenna are placed by hand on gum strips and manually straightenedbefore applying a covering strip. Such a package is commonly referred toas a “patch”. The patch is subsequently adhered to a tire surface suchas the tire inner liner. Such a procedure, while being functional, issusceptible to human error and inaccuracy and, while representing anoption, does not meet all of the needs of the industry.

Heretofore, no effective method has been attained that can safely,expediently, and in a cost effective manner incorporate an RFID taghaving a dipole helically wound antenna into a tire surface. A method ofthe type desired within the industry should be capable of handling a tagindividually and further be capable of picking a tag from a bin or trayand incorporating the tag into or on a distanced substrate during orpost tire manufacture. The procedure should further function to maintainthe elongation of the antenna at its designed length between the pickingand placement stages of the manufacturing procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for affixing anelectronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substratesurface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to theelectronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antennapositioning means such as an electromagnet positioned adjacent theelectronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving theopposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the pickingapparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the pickingapparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging thesubstrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing theelectronic device to the substrate surface.

Pursuant to a further aspect of the invention, the method may includemoving the antenna ends against the substrate surface by means of apushing component of the picking apparatus.

In another aspect of the invention, the method may provide for capturingthe opposite antenna ends into picking apparatus slots by means of oneor more electromagnets or permanent magnets or a vacuum system, eachslot defined by opposed guide fingers and engaging the substrate surfacewith terminal ends of the guide fingers of each slot prior to depositionof the electronic device on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the RFID handling apparatusoperatively aligned with an RFID device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the RFID handling apparatus shown withthe RFID device antenna positioned within apparatus slots.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view thereof shown in partial section of theRFID handling apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the RFID handling apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of a representative RFID tag.

FIG. 6A is a side elevation view of the RFID handling apparatusoperatively aligned with an RFID device.

FIG. 6B is a sequential view thereof showing actuation of electromagnetswithin the RFID apparatus slots.

FIG. 6C is a subsequent sequential view of the RFID antenna ends beingdrawing into the RFID apparatus slots.

FIG. 6D is a subsequent sequential view of the RFID device and apparatusdisposed against an external receiving surface.

FIG. 6E is a subsequent sequential view of actuating push rods pushingantenna ends from the apparatus slots against the receiving surface.

FIG. 6F is a side elevation view of the RFID device deposited on thereceiving surface and withdrawn RFID handling apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the method pursuant to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, an electronic device handlingapparatus 10 is shown that functions to pick and place an electronicdevice 36 such as an RFID tag in a desired location. RFID tags such asthat depicted are of a type having a dipole helically wound steel wireantenna. Electronic transmitter and data storage 38 communicate a uniqueidentification signal to an outside receiver by means of ultra highfrequency (UHF) radio frequency. The antenna extends ends 40, 42 outwardin linear fashion from the transmitter device 36 and is of a tunedlength. Accordingly, it is desirable to maintain the straightness of theantenna during handling, transport, and application to a product since acompromise of the antenna configuration will directly influence tagperformance.

The apparatus includes a support body 12 having a manipulationprotrusion 14 extending therefrom for use in moving the body 12 fromlocation to location. While shown in a detached illustration in FIGS.1-5, the apparatus 10 is susceptible for incorporation into automatedequipment including robotics. Such automated equipment (not shown) mayfunction to relocate the body 12 pursuant to computer controlledinstruction.

The apparatus 10 further includes dual guide components 16, 18, eachhaving spaced apart guide fingers 20, 22. The guide fingers 22, 24define therebetween a tapering slot 24 that narrows from an open widerslot end 26 inward to a narrower slot end 28. While two slots are shownin the illustrated embodiment, more or fewer pairs of slot fingers maybe employed as desired. Situated within the narrow end 28 of each slotis a magnet 30. Magnet 30 may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet.Associate switching circuitry common to the use of magnets 30 isprovided to switch the magnets 30 between on and off conditions.Alternative means may be used if desired with or in place of the magnets30. For example, without intent to delimit the invention, a vacuumsystem may be used to draw antenna ends into the slots 24. Also situatedwithin each slot 24 respectively are push rods 32, 34. Push rods 32, 34are mounted through the support body 12 and reciprocally move in anaxial direction within each slot 24. Accordingly, the push rod endswithin the slots 24 move reciprocally toward and away from the wider endof a respective slot 24.

As discussed, an RFID tag having a dipole helically wound steel wireantenna is the target of apparatus 10. The wire antenna ends 40, 42extend from the transmitting and data storage electronics 38 in agenerally co-axial arrangement. The tag 36 may be one of many tags in abin or other storage medium. So situated, tags 36 tend to nest andtangle and may not be in a readily accessible orientation. The inventionis intended to pick an individual tag 36 from such an environment andtransport the picked tag to a final or intermediate destination. In thecase of an RFID tag incorporated within a tire, for example, the tag maybe picked and placed on green rubber components. FIGS. 6D-6F illustratesuch a target tag receiving body 44 having a surface 46 on which the tagis intended to be deposited.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-6F, operation of the tag handling apparatus10 will be explained. FIG. 6A illustrates alignment of the apparatus 10with a target tag 36. Antenna ends 40, 42 of the tag 36 extend in astraight line and are aligned opposite a respective guide component 16,18 and the slot 24 defined thereby. The magnets within each slot 24 arepreferably electromagnets that may be switched on as seen in FIG. 6B toattract the ferromagnetic antenna coil ends 40, 42. Permanent magnetsmay be employed if desired to attract the antenna coil ends 40, 42 intothe slots 24 or a vacuum system may be used. The guide fingers, 20, 22defining each tapered slot 24 are preferably composed of anon-ferromagnetic material and function to guide the antenna coil endsinto the slot under influence of magnets 30.

As shown in FIG. 6C, the progress of antenna coil ends 40, 42 withintheir respective slots is terminated as the antenna ends encounter theremote ends of push rods 32, 34 within the slots. The guide fingers 20,22 defining each slot 24 are arranged and aligned to ensure desiredstraightness of the dipole antenna is maintained. The guides arearranged to pick the dipole antenna at the ends 40, 42 and the antennacoil at each end is forced to a straight co-axial position fixed by thesupporting structure 12.

The picking fingers 20, 22, once having secured the tag, can then placethe tag at a desired location on surface 46 of receiving body 44.Relocation may be either effected manually or by using suitableconventionally available robotics or other automation techniques. FIG.6D shows location of the apparatus 10 against a target surface 46. For atire application, the target surface 46 may be a rubber component of thetire onto which the tag is to be secured. Once placed in a suitablelocation, the magnet is switched off to release the antenna coil. Thefingers 20, 22 can press the coil (FIG. 6E) into the receiving compoundwith the assistance of the internal push rods 32, 34. If a permanentmagnet is used within the slots 24, push rods 32, 34 may mechanicallyovercome the magnetic attraction to cause the antenna coil ends to exittheir respective slots. The apparatus is removed as shown in FIG. 6F andthe tag may then be covered with a secondary component (not shown). If avacuum system (not shown) is used to attract the antenna ends into theirrespective slots 24, the vacuum may be removed. A force such as airpressure may thereupon be applied if desired to assist in removal of theantenna ends from the slots.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the subject inventionprovides an automated or assisted apparatus to handle electronic deviceshaving dipole coil antennas. The antenna is maintained in a desiredstraight condition while and after placing the antenna on a targetsurface. A tangled or bent antenna is captured within the slots andreturned to a straight orientation for placement on the target surface.The apparatus can function to pick and capture a tag despite the smallsize of the tag and the potential for tangling in the tag antenna. Whiledescribed above as picking the electronic device by means of engagingantenna ends, the apparatus 10 may be configured to act on the circuitboard portion of the electronic device such as by applying a vacuum tothe center circuit board component. The electronic device may then bemoved so that the antenna ends enter into slots 24 and are maintained intheir intended orientation as the electronic device is moved.

From FIG. 7, the methodology for affixing an electronic device such asthe RFID to a substrate surface is illustrated in block diagram form.The picking apparatus 10 is positioned opposite to the electronic device(48). The magnet(s) 30 are switched on (50) to secure the device antennaends to the picking apparatus (52). The apparatus 10 with the electronicdevice is then moved to the substrate (54) or, alternatively, thesubstrate may be presented to the apparatus 10. The picking apparatusengages the substrate (56) and the electromagnet(s) is switched off(58). While preferably separate electromagnets are deployed, one foreach slot, more or fewer electromagnets or permanent magnets may beemployed if desired and arranged within the slot 24 or, alternativelyexternal of the slot 24. Alternatively, a vacuum system may be deployedfor positioning the antenna ends within their respective slots bypulling on the antenna ends or on the circuit board component of thedevice. The purpose of the magnet(s) or a vacuum system, therefore, in abroader sense, is to act as antenna positioning means and move theantenna ends 40, 42 into a captured relationship with the pickingapparatus 10. In a broad sense, therefore, the invention contemplatesmeans for moving the antenna ends 40, 42 into their respective slots.Thereupon, the electronic device is deposited upon the substrate and apushing apparatus component 32, 34 may be employed to influence the endsof the antenna onto or into the substrate 44. See discussion above ofFIGS. 6A-6B. The apparatus 10 may be withdrawn and another cycleinitiated.

It will be understood, therefore, that the subject method safely,expediently, and in a cost effective manner incorporates an electronicdevice, such as an RFID tag, having a dipole helically wound antennainto a tire surface. The method is capable of handling a tagindividually and further is capable of picking a tag from a bin or trayand incorporating the tag into or on a distanced substrate during orpost tire manufacture. The procedure functions to maintain theelongation of the antenna in a straight alignment and at its designedlength between the picking and placement stages of the manufacturingprocedure. Should the antenna be slightly bent when picked by theapparatus, the apparatus 10 will serve to straighten the antenna bydrawing ends of the antenna into aligned slots within apparatus 10.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representativeembodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustratingthe subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, tobe understood that changes can be made in the particular embodimentsdescribed which will be within the full intended scope of the inventionas defined by the following appended claims.

1. A method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipoleantenna to a substrate surface, comprising: positioning pickingapparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatushaving at least one antenna positioning means; activating the antennapositioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a capturedrelationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antennapositioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacentthe substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the pickingapparatus; and depositing the electronic device on the substratesurface.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising:moving the antenna ends against the substrate surface by means ofpicking apparatus pushing means.
 3. A method according to claim 1,wherein further comprising: capturing the opposite antenna ends intopicking apparatus slots by means of at least one magnet, each slotdefined by opposed guide fingers.
 4. A method according to claim 3,wherein further comprising: engaging the substrate surface with terminalends of the guide fingers of each slot.
 5. A method according to claim4, wherein further comprising: moving the antenna ends against thesubstrate surface by means of picking apparatus pushing means with theterminal ends of the guide fingers of each slot engaged against thesubstrate surface.
 6. A method according to claim 3, wherein furthercomprising: maintaining the antenna in an elongate position between theapparatus slots by means of the antenna positioning means.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: capturing the opposite antennaends into picking apparatus slots by means of at least one magnetlocated within each slot.
 8. A method according to claim 7, furthercomprising: moving the antenna ends from each slot by means of pickingapparatus pushing means within each slot.
 9. A method according to claim7, further comprising: maintaining the antenna in an elongateconfiguration between the apparatus slots by means of the at least onemagnet within each slot.
 10. A method according to claim 9, furthercomprising: moving the antenna ends from each slot by means of pickingapparatus pushing means within each slot.
 11. A method according toclaim 1, further comprising capturing the opposite antenna ends intopicking apparatus slots by antenna positioning means selected from agroup of systems including: magnetic systems, vacuum systems.